JOHNSTOWN SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA

The Johnstown Symphony Youth Orchestra was established in 1958 to provide talented young musicians the opportunity to further develop their musical potential. The Youth Orchestra rehearses once a week and plays music from the standard orchestral repertoire and beyond. Inspired by this rich curriculum, they refine their skills in an environment that fosters the love of music and of working together within an ensemble. Mr. David Anderson is the conductor, and you can read about him below.

More information including the dates for concerts, the honors chamber music ensembles and the attendance policy can be found here. All students (new or returning) are encouraged to read all of this information. ONE BIG CHANGE is that the JSYO will be rehearsing on Sunday afternoons from 3:30-5:30 pm for the 2019-2020 season.

Auditions for the 2019-2020 Youth Orchestra will be held Saturday, June 1st from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (location TBA). Students are required to perform:

Two contrasting excerpts from the solo repertoire of 1-2 minutes each. (ex: fast/slow) Both can come from the same movement, or they can come from completely different pieces.

Excerpts from the orchestral repertoire selected for this audition. The excerpts are posted below. Click on your instrument to see the requirements and the numbers next to your instrument to download the music.

Sight-reading, provided at the audition.

Click here to fill out an application online, or download a paper application using the button below. Applications should be sent to the JSO office. When the JSO receives the form, we will contact you to make an arrangement for the audition. Applications are due by May 23rd. Applications for honors chamber ensembles are due by May 16. Most auditions will last 10 minutes. Percussionists and those auditioning for a JSYO honors chamber ensemble will have a 20 - minute audition.

There is an $80 membership fee which should be paid at the time of the application and before the audition. You may pay online using the button below or by check. Checks should be made payable to the "Johnstown Symphony Orchestra" and sent to 500 Galleria Drive #284, Johnstown 15904. The tuition fee will be returned to students who are not accepted into the Youth Orchestra.

Hard copies of the excerpts are available upon request. Call the JSO office 814-535-6738

Meet Our Music Director, David Anderson

Youth Orchestra Music Director, David Anderson

David Anderson is thrilled to begin his third season as conductor of the JSYO! Before relocating to Pittsburgh in 2014, Anderson served for seven years as Philharmonia Conductor of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, working with young musicians from the Chicago suburbs. During this time, he helped to establish the EYSO program as one of the premier regional youth orchestras in the Midwest. In addition to his work advancing the musicianship and artistry of Philharmonia, Anderson served as the EYSO’s Chamber Music Institute Director from 2007 to 2012. Through his leadership, enrollment in CMI more than quadrupled, expanded school-day concerts provided performance and recruiting opportunities, and a series of community concerts was initiated to help the EYSO bring chamber music to a wider audience. Beginning with the 2017-18 season, the JSYO launched two honors chamber music ensembles to provide the unique experience of playing in small settings to students in the Johnstown region.

Anderson begins his eighth season as Music Director for the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra in Southern Wisconsin and is on faculty at Seton Hill University, where he teaches the complete music theory sequence and serves as a staff accompanist.

NOTES Campaign 2019 is underway!Click here to fill out the donation form online.Or download a form here.